I can be so bad when it comes to praying 5 times a day. I remember in Islamic School when we were little, they would make us construct a chart of the days in the week and 5 slots under each day - every time we prayed, we were to make a checkmark - and every week we were to try to increase the number of prayers until we were going at 5 times a day.
I thought it was a good idea and it worked to some extent. Once I got into the habit, it came easy to get up for fajr and remember to head out to prayers. Of course, during those days all I had to do was like 1 hour of homework which I did in 15 minutes anyway. So, it wasn’t too complicated to get up from the TV and go pray. Now, its a lot harder, especially when you’re running to different appointments, when you’re at work, and when you’re in class.
I like to pray in isolation, in my room. So, its not easy to head off to the room 5 times a day.
Any tricks for motivation? Have you guys tried to construct a chart to motivate yourself that way?
Once you get into the habit its not too tough. Having a routine helps and so does another person who is regular with prayers. However, I agree that with all the other stuff it can be hard. But Ive prayed at hospitals, school even by the side of the road while on a long road trip! You just have to get used to it.
hmm PCG, maybe install that Azaan software on ur machine and put the volume up high.. i know thats a real motivation for me.. reminds me that i need to get off my butt and pray
as MQ said, once you get into the habit of praying, it gets easy...
for me prayer is motivation in itself.. if im having a bad day, i pray to help me get thru it.. if im having a good day, i pray to thank Allah Mian..
and yeah it does help quite a bit when theres someone else praying with u
Once you realize the sheer love you have for your lord, you'd wake up on those cold chilly mornings and do wudhu just to bow down in front of him. And praying out of sheer love, is the best remedy for those who cannot pray 5 times a day. Or think its a routinely thing.
Try to increase the love of prayers within you even greater than the concern you have of not praying. Understand how deep and meaningful it is. Then, no matter where you are, you'll pray 5 times a day.
Just knowing the love bestowed upon me everyday by Allah swt, is sometimes enough for me to get up 5 o clock in the morning, no matter how sleepy I am , for his sake and his pleasure.
PCG if you don't feel like praying seperately all the 5 prayers then make a qaza for each of them when you pray Isha. I also like to pray in isolation that's why when I'm back from uni and ready to read Isha, I qaza all 4 that I miss.
I just force myself to pray even when at times I'm not in the best of eeman. I try my best never to miss my farz salah. When outside, I only offer fard salah, as it is something that cannot be missed.
All I do is keep prayer timings in mind and sort of keep it in the back of my head and head for the prayer as soon as I can.
I guess for me it's the guilt factor that kicks in if I think of missing out on a prayer. It makes me feel bad and reminds me of all the favours and blessings that Allah (SWT) has blessed me with even when I happen to be such a horrible person. Hence, I tell myself that the least I can do is offer fard salah whereever I can to the best of my ability.
PCG, if you want to do it out of love for Allah (SWT), then perhaps you can trying reading articles talking about Allah's (SWT) Greatness and His (SWT) Favours that He (SWT) has bestowed upon us and how in return He (SWT) wants us to offer salah.
PCG - I know u say that u don't want to do it out of fear, but fear of Allah, i believe, is also an expression of love. We have faith in God, we believe in him, that is why we fear displeasing him, if you didn't believe in Him what possible currency will fear hold?
What motivated me was when i learnt that prayer would be the first thing we would be questioned about after we die- we all make such a fuss about hijaab , halaal and haraam food etc but it is prayer that we will be asked about first.
I have work issues as well - if i am in meetings i generally combine my Zhur and Asr, then do Maghrib and Isha (although i have been bowled over by non muslims saying we have arranged a room for u to pray in)
Set your self up to do at least fajr eveyrday (even if late) and Isha then build up, inshallah.
